Shock at death of popular publican
ONE of Kilkenny's most popular publicans and proprietor of one of the finest bars in the medieval city, Eamon Reidy died on Sunday morning last, aged 54.
Mr Reidy died after a short illness, and his burial takes place today (Wednesday) with Funeral Mass in St John’s at 11.30am and internment at Foulkstown Cemetery.
KIlkenny Borough Council will honour Mr Reidy’s memory with full civic honours at his funeral today as he is a brother of local Councillor Joe Reidy.
Mayor Martin Brett spoke of the shock of the news - “It’s a huge shock to me personally, I knew Eamon well and he was great company and from a fine Kilkenny family,” he added.
Fianna Fail TD John McGuinness described Eamon as a “well respected businessman, a great character and liked by all.”
“His passing has come as a shock to everyone who knew him. He came from a very supportive family, he was very supportive of his brother Joe and I extend my deepest sympathies to the family and his parnter Catherine (Peg) O’Keeffe ,” said the City based TD.
A member of a highly respected Kilkenny family, Eamon and his partner Catherine ran O’Riada’s on Parliament Street.
The couple were planning to move in to their new home in Johnswell in the coming weeks before tragedy struck.
One of eight sons of the late Liam and Mary Reidy, College Road, Eamon ran a very popular premises. He bought the pub from Billy Conway in 1991, and maintained the old style traditions and made O’Riada’s one of the top public houses in the country.
He attended school in St John of God, St Patricks De la Salle and St Kierans College. He left school after his inter cert, and trained as a fitter with Mahon and McPhilips before working on such projects as the Olympic Village in Barcelona and Moneypoint Power station back home.
He then went to England in the 80’s in search of work and to supplement his income began working in pubs in the UK capital. He enjoyed the banter and lifestyle - when the opportunity came to return home he took it and established a thriving premises.
He lived in Claddagh Court with his partner Catherine and could never speak highly enough of his neighbours.
A talented young hurler with the Village and St Kierans team, Eamon gave up the game after a motorbike accident damaged his foot. For the last six years, he has spent his life in a wheelchair but was always full of life.
A quiet man who liked to keep his counsel, he was extremely popular with his loyal customers. Indeed since he took over the pub in 1991, he maintained a Christmas tradition of giving the kids of customers a selection box for Christmas - a day time trip to O’Riada’s was a seasonal highlight for many young children in the city.
His removal took place from Johnsons Funeral Home last night to St John’s Cathedral after 8pm prayers.
Today, Kilkenny Borough Council will afford Mr Reidy full Civic honours at his funeral.
Mr Reidy is survived by his partner Catherine (Peg) O’Keeffe and his brothers Sean (Director of the Dunbrody Project in New Ross), Brian (Mullingar), Liam (senior counsel in Dublin), Joe (local Fianna Fail councilor and of Reidy Insurances on Parliament Street); Dermot (solicitor, Parliament Street), Brendan (also of Reidy Insurances) and Ger (Sligo).
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Weather for Kilkenny
Monday 21 May 2012
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Cloudy
Temperature: 10 C to 17 C
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